State Fair Days

let's take a look at one of America's best-loved institution for a few minutes suppose we join the crowds who each year take time off from the workaday world to become part of that great annual phenomenon we call the New York State Fair this is a fair with rich traditions and what could be more traditional than the colorful harness races the time-honored sport of all fares yes it's a sight to bring joy to the heart of every horse lover for these are the nation's greatest trotters and they're off and reflected in the flashing poof's of these thoroughbreds a tense excitement of the crowds and the consummate skill of the drivers is the very spirit of the favor the spirit of competition the spirit that says this is our best yes to see the best one goes to the fade whether it be the best Trotter for the best light horses or even the best draft horses this vanishing breed is a casualty of practice but though the tractor may replace the team on the farms of the state no man-made monster will ever take its place in the hearts of the farmer for the dairyman the high spot of the fair is the cattle show referred to as the finest and largest in the world when a mare is a place where nature rubs elbows with technology art with science the new with the old and every inch of it is downright fascinating from an even more distant past come the arts of the Iroquois Indians including authentic ceremonial dances while not far away a troop of Boy Scouts perform the same dances making up in vigor what they lack in authenticity a popular spot with every new york state fair visitors the better home show in the manufacturers and liberal arts building here New York State's Commerce and Industry are on display here the house wife finds genuine help in the art home making and friend husband develops a sudden interest in electric dishwashers ironers and the life and in the Grange building the New York State Fair plays host to this the largest farm organization in the state a newer State Fair innovation is the fly and bait casting tournament conducted in the lagoon off Empire court with separate prizes for oldsters and youngsters experts and novices one of the high spots of State Fair week is governor's day when the chief executive pays his traditional visit to the fairgrounds the governor is a spectator to and before he leaves he'll tour the entire ground but his first duty is to address the crowd that always gathers in Empire court fair is one of the biggest and most important and finest things in the state of New York but the fair has its lighter side and all the time-honored trappings can be found in the amusement area each year there is something new and more thrilling in the way of rides but with a more conservative fairgoers air is always the ferris wheel the merry-go-round and of course the traditional barn in a fine high calibre of our show what you see here is only a small sample of what's in store for you on the inside the show just about ready a stock dogs always mistake fare without giving yourself a treat to the biggest by night the fair is even more glamorous thousands of colorful lights turn the grounds into a huge fairy leg in fact some of the high spots of the entire week take place in the evening like the crowning of the State Fair Queen a competition which always brings out the most beautiful girls in the state and then to close each day a huge display of fireworks making this year's New York State Fair even more fun will be the state championship square dance competition top square dance teams from all over the state will compete in the finals and some of the nation's top folk artist entertainment another new feature of the 1951 fair will be the daily fashion shows here the feminine state fair visitors will get an insight into the fabulous new fashions for the matron her junior and the teenage miss besides the creations of leading designers there will be ideas on how to make your own clothes at home and of course the 4-h girls will once again conduct their own fashion show this is an institution of long standing at the fig these dresses are made by the girls themselves and prizes are awarded annually for the best work there's something to interest everyone at the fair popular with every home maker are the professional cooking demonstrations in the Harriet main Mills building and for the second year a statewide Fine Arts and prints show will occupy a portion of the manufacturers building what for action daring and thrills many state fair visitors consider the high spot of the week to be the 100-mile triple-a sanctioned national championship auto race on the final afternoon of the fair the greatest drivers in the business champions of the Indianapolis Speedway receive their final instructions from IRA Vale venerable director of the race the track gets a final going over and a layer of calcium is applied to hold down the dust there's tension even in the press box as the moment for the big race approaches these powerful cars have no self starters and no transmissions automatic or otherwise and so they have to be cranked with a special detachable motor and pushed onto the track by the pit crews around the track for the warmup there's a few short minutes in which to get into proper position then the pace car leaves the crowd is tense now and there's the starting flag indicating that the race is underway the track is exactly a mile long and a hundred times around that better than a hundred miles an hour is a long hard ride drivers themselves easily lose track of their position and have to be kept informed by black boards in the hands of pit crews occasionally a car is forced out for a hell with danger and every curve little wonder that these races attract such huge crowds for thrills excitement tension mounting with every mile you can't meet these demons of the dirt track down comes the checkered flag in the crowd let's go with a cheer instantly the news is flashed across the country and another 100 mile race is history yes the New York State Fair is an exposition steeped in tradition filled with thrills and excitement as New York State mobilizes its productive power and wealth in a show window that is big colorful and action-packed the 105 year old new york state agricultural and industrial exposition offers something for everyone that's what makes it so much a part of New York State life in premiums offered to exhibitors alone the New York State Fair exceeds every other state fair in the nation the eight days and eight nights of this year's fair will be packed as always with hundreds of events to interest every state fair visitor and none will be disappointed for everyone leaves the fairgrounds looking forward to next year's State Fair days